Book Gift Policy

Under most circumstances, OU Libraries is no longer able to routinely accept most book donations for the general circulating collection. This is due to significant space constraints and the high cost of sorting, reviewing, and processing donated material.

OU Libraries is a major research library that utilizes a careful review and selection procedure for the acquisition of materials, including gifts of books, periodicals, and other library resources. Because gift processing entails significant costs, OU Libraries accepts only those gifts that support the curricular and research needs of the University.

The criteria for accepting gifts are the same as for purchased items. These include:

• The timeliness, scope, literary, and scholarly quality of materials
• Physical condition of the materials
• Processing costs
• Available shelf space

Materials which fall within the following categories generally cannot be added to the OU Libraries’ collections:

• Out-of-date textbooks
• Popular magazines or periodicals
• Scattered or single volumes of a multi-volume set
• Material in poor condition; exceptions may be made for rare or unique items
• Pamphlets

• OU Libraries reserves the right to utilize donated materials in whatever way best benefits the collections and services.
• OU Libraries only accepts unrestricted gifts.
• OU Libraries adheres to the guidelines established by copyright laws and conventions. As a result, OU Libraries will not accept photocopies, video copies, or audio copies of copyrighted material without written permission from the copyright holder.

Single Title or Small Gifts

Single title or small gifts (10 titles or less) may be reviewed by the Head of Acquisitions, Collection Strategist, or Subject Liaisons. The donor gift form should be completed for small gifts at the time of donation.

Large or Specialized Gifts

Occasionally, large or specialized collections are offered to OU Libraries. These gifts must be approved by the Associate Dean of Research & Academic Success and other appropriate OU Libraries administrators. Gifts for Special Research Collections must be approved by the Associate Dean for Special Research Collections. Without prior approval of larger gifts, the OU Libraries may refuse to accept a donation at the time of delivery. Upon approval of the gift, the donor gift form should be completed. Learn how to contribute to the Special Research Collections.

• It is the donor's responsibility to arrange and pay for the delivery of gift materials.
• Internal Revenue Service regulations prohibit employees of a receiving institution to appraise gifts for tax purposes. Consequently, it is the donor’s responsibility to arrange and pay for an independent appraisal of their gift to OU Libraries.